What it means
When you're winding someone up, you're having a laugh at their expense in a cheeky, playful way — like teasing a mate about their new haircut until they clock on and roll their eyes. It's the gentle art of pulling someone's leg without any real malice, often leaving everyone a bit warmer for the effort.
Usage examples
"Stop winding me up – I know you didn't really win the lottery."
"He spent the whole dinner winding his sister up about her new fella."
"Are you winding me up or is the B&M actually still open at this hour?"
Where it comes from
It comes from the old image of winding a clock or a toy — turning a key tighter and tighter until it's ready to spring. By the mid 20th century, Brits had borrowed that sense of tightening tension and applied it to winding up a person's emotions for a laugh. It's been a staple of playgrounds and workplace bants ever since, appearing in everything from Only Fools and Horses to modern social media rants.
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
We look after this expression together
If they say it where you live and something is missing here, bring it. A magikito looks at it and adds it.
- An example
- Your patch
- Your voice